Next up was AC Motxo International versus 9 Nana Budds. This was a match between the 2018 Algarve Open Plate winners and the 2018 Algarve Open Cup winners. The two teams did not meet in the Algarve but they would come head-to-head here in Alicante.

There was little riding on this game for AC Motxo International as they would almost certainly finish in fifth position whatever happened in this final round of games. There was much more at stake for 9 Nana Budds who needed a win to qualify for the Cup. A draw or defeat may be enough to finish third above Lostwithiel FC but 8 points was possibly not going to be enough to be one of the best third placed teams. The form book would also suggest Lostwithiel FC were likely to win their final game.

So, it seemed to be win or bust for 9 Nana Budds. Any form of win would put them above L'Albiceleste on goal difference or goals scored. A bigger win may see them go second depending on what Lostwithiel FC did in the next game. An 8-goal win was needed to go top. If they were to finish third they would need to have a look at Groups B & C to see if they had done enough to be one of the two best third placed teams.

9 Nana Budds did go on and win this game 1-0 thanks to Will Crowther's fourth goal of the tournament and Tim Moore's third clean sheet. Would it be enough?

The final thing to wrap up in Group A was Lostwithiel FC versus Brewin Dolphin A. The top of the table currently looked like this:

Galacticos 10 points (+13)

9 Nana Budds 10 points (+6, 9-3)

L'Albiceleste 10 points (+6, 8-2)

Lostwithiel FC were currently on 7 points and so needed a win to join those 3 teams at the top. They currently had a goal difference of +2 (5-3) so not only needed a win but needed goals. They had to win by at least 4 goals to join 9 Nana Budds and L'Albiceleste on +6. A 5-goal win or better would see them finish second. An 11 goal win would see them go level with Galacticos on exactly the same goal difference, goals scored etc. Galacticos would win the group on head-to-head record. A 12 goal win would see Lostwithiel FC win Group A.

Brewin Dolphin A were cast in the role of party poopers trying to spoil Lostwithiel FC's chances. A draw or win for them could well see them progress as the best sixth placed team into the Plate competition.

The game belonged to Lostwithiel FC though. Liam Rooney started the ball rolling before a Chris Chandler double made it 3-0. Liam Rooney struck again for 4-0 and at this point we had three teams locked on 10 points and +6 goal difference. 2 of those teams (9 Nana Budds & Lostwithiel FC) had identical goals scored and goals conceded. They had also drawn 0-0 in head-to-head so we were potentially looking at a penalty shoot-out to decide second and third positions in the table.

As things stood, L'Albiceleste were missing out on the Cup and they needed Brewin Dolphin A to stage a comeback. It wasn't happening though. Tyler Cummings made it 5-0 and the goals continued to flow. Liam Rooney and Chris Chandler went on to complete their hat-tricks for 7-0 before a brace from Dan Carr meant we finished at 9-0.

Lostwithiel FC were just shy of top spot but had qualified for the Cup competition. Congratulations to Galacticos for winning Group A. Also congratulations to 9 Nana Budds whose 10 point haul was enough to see them through as the best third placed team.

Commiserations though to L'Albiceleste of France. They were joint top on 10 points but fourth on goal difference. What a cruel way to miss out on Cup qualification. It was an incredible finish to the group and the first time we had four teams finish level on 10 points.